EU says agreements with Israel ‘inapplicable’ beyond Green Line

The bloc reiterated its existing policy concerning products produced in Israeli settlements and agreements between member states and Israel

24.01.16 / 11:13

24.01.16

EU says agreements with Israel ‘inapplicable’ beyond Green Line

•

The European Union (EU) foreign ministers finalized its resolution to explicitly indicate in all agreements between Israel and the EU their inapplicability beyond the Green Line.

The bloc reiterated its existing policy concerning products produced in Israeli settlements and agreements between member states and Israel.

The resolution confirms that the EU considers Israel's borders to end at the 1967 Green Line, and that therefore any arrangements made between Israel and member countries will not apply to settlements.

"The EU and its Member States are committed to ensure continued, full and effective implementation of existing EU legislation and bilateral arrangements applicable to settlements products," the resolution reads, adding that "the EU expresses its commitment to ensure that - in line with international law - all agreements between the State of Israel and the EU must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967."

The announcement by 28-member bloc’s council also calls on PA to increase transparency, resume control of Gaza Strip. The directives will affect less than one percent of the EU-Israel trade – which stands at €30 billion, of which Israeli export to EU states account for €13 billion.